Meaning of “Paper Machete” by Queens of the Stone Age
As described by Josh Homme in his own words, what the lyrics of “Paper Machete” are supposed to ‘kinda represent’ is reaching a point of frustration where a person decides not to tolerate what’s making them upset any longer. But as far as whether the wording of the song successfully conveys that idea, that would be a matter of interpretation.
The second verse can be considered the clearest. Here, Josh proceeds to seemingly call out the addressee, this person whom, he trusted for scheming behind his back and being too cowardly to confront him “face to face”. And in terms of dissing this individual, he goes on to classify him or her as being “sharp as a paper machete”.
Paper, as you likely know, can cut. But all things considered, such as the fact that paper isn’t such that anyone would actually try to fashion a machete out of it, we will take that analogy as pointing to the vocalist considering this person as not being formidable or as being fickle.
“The truth is just a piece of clay
You sculpt, you change, you hide, then you erase
You think you’re brave? All the plans you made
Behind my back and from far away
Truth is, face to face, you’re a coward
Sharp as a paper machete”
Meanwhile, the first verse seems to be critical of the type of people who always like to perceive themselves as victims. And although the lyrics don’t take it there directly, that concept would be more in tune with Josh’s aforenoted explanation, even if indirectly, in that the vocalist is saying that he’s not going to entertain the thoughts of those who conduct themselves so any longer.
And so it is with the terse third verse. As implied, there are people out there who prefer to always present themselves as being the innocent victim. What Josh seems to be implying in response is that they adopt such a disposition as a convenient excuse for the fact that none of their relationships ever work out.
Or as put forth in the bridge, some people are such that they would ‘use anything or anyone to make themselves look clean’.
After making that statement the vocalist proceeds, even if only briefly, to use terminology associated with marriage, thus implying that this piece, or at least the bridge and (third) verse that follows, may indeed be focused on those who are unlucky in the field of romance and relatedly adopt a victim’s mentality.
And that notion has been more or less verified by Josh, in that this song was more specifically inspired by the tumultuous divorce he went through a couple of years ago. But more to the conclusive point would be the latter half of the bridge, where Homme appears to be taking a vow against “cruelty” and pessimistic thinking, again, as it reads, as such pertains to romance.
In Conclusion
So all lyrics considered and going back to the titular metaphor, it would appear that Queens of the Stone Age are addressing the people who fall into the above category. They would be the ones whose relationships, romantic or otherwise, never don’t work out.
But instead of taking a hard, honest look in the mirror they rather place the blame on external forces, such as their associates or the other party involved. In other words, being “a paper machete” reads as if the vocalist is saying that these type of folk are disillusioned and don’t have any resolve.
Credits of “Paper Machete”
Queens of the Stone Age is a quintet consisting of frontman Josh Homme backed by the following:
- Troy Van Leeuwen (guitarist)
- Michael Shuman (bassist)
- Dean Fertita (keyboardist)
- Jon Theodore (drummer)
And it is those five individuals who are credited with writing the song, with the entire band, as a unit, being acknowledged as its producer.
Release Date
This track was released on the 14th June 2023 as the third single from their album “In Times New Roman…”,which came out in full, through indie label Matador Records, a few days afterwards.
